Gavin and Cooper: Cooper Update and other Johnson Family News

I went to the doctor today and I have dilated 2 centimeters and I am 80% effaced. She thinks it will be 1-2 weeks, so our wait for Cooper will not be much longer! As far as how I feel, some days are worse than others depending on how active I am. Just the normal woes towards the end of pregnancy-feeling big, lots of pressure, etc. Eric has been very helpful and supportive around the house and with Gavin which has made it alot easier. Gavin seems like he is going to do really well with Cooper. He gets excited about being a big brother and wants to get down to my belly so he can talk to Cooper. It is really sweet to see him talk about his baby brother. He thinks that he is going to hatch like a baby bird! He has also helped getting his room ready and putting his new things in his room. I can't wait to get a picture of the two of them together--our two boys!!! We will keep you all posted on Cooper's arrival!!! Here are some pictures of my belly and the nursery.

Eric has had alot of exciting news this past month. On September 17th, he was ordained as deacon at our church-Florence First Baptist Church. This is a really big deal for him because he is following in the footsteps of some really great men in the Johnson family. Ever since Eric and I have been married, this has been something he really hoped to become one day. It is amazing to see what God has done in his life and what opportunities have been opened since we have been here in Florence over the past two years. I am so thankful for the person that he is and the opportunity he has been given to have a positive influence on those he is now serving. I know he would say many thanks to his dad for helping to mold him into the person he is today. The other neat part was that he got to share this experience with his high school friend and college roommate, Tres Coker. It is strange that they both ended up in Florence, AL with neither of them being from here. We attend the same church. And then to top it off, they are ordained as deacons on the same day. We are very blessed to have such great friends in Tres, Lori and Mallory. Here a few pictures from the deacon ordination.

Eric's other exciting news is that he and Courtney (my partner's husband) have purchased Frank Lary's Trophy Shop here in Florence. They closed this past Friday so this is their first official week. This is a nerve racking time with all that has to be done, but it has always been Eric's dream to be an entrepreneur and that dream is finally becoming a reality. What is better is that it is located 2 doors down from our office on Darby Drive. It couldn't be a better set up with having young kids (in case the boys are sick or school is closed or they just need to go to work with dad). The guy that they are purchasing the shop from has been in business for 27 years and is making a move to Birmingham to be with his sons and other family. There are alot of exciting things that they want to do to really make it even better than it already is. Eric has quit his job, but Courtney will continue to teach and coach for the time being. At some point, they hope to open it up so that orders can be placed on the internet. As soon as they get a website up and running, we will share it with everyone. Please pray for this new venture in our lives, especially with a new baby almost here! Here are some pictures of Gavin and Eric and the Trophy Shop.

Gavin had his teeth cleaned for the first time on September 26th. He did GREAT!!! Of course, he watched Eric go first and then he couldn't wait for his turn. Nina is one of our hygeniest who also goes to church with us and taught Gavin in one year old sunday school. She is so great with kids and is such a hard worker. We appreciate her so much! Thanks Nina! Here are a few pics from his big day.